Blog

Thinking of upgrading your analogue two way radio system to digital?

When visiting customers I am often asked why they should move from their analogue to digital mobile radio systems. With organisations trying to get the most from their radios to improve efficiencies and ROI it is understandable that digital radio comes up. So, if you’re thinking of upgrading your analogue two way radio system to digital but need to know more here’s some points that I hope will help. To begin, there are a choice of digital two way radio standards commonly available including: DMR, dPMR and TETRA. We’ll be focusing on the DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) standard as this is the most commonly deployed technology – used across virtually all sectors including industry, hospitals, manufacturing, retail etc.

Twice as efficient:

DMR systems are digital, making for very scalable deployments and making it twice as efficient as an analogue system in terms of radio channels used – this is because of the insertion of two time-slots (traffic channels) into one radio channel. In the case of DMR, this halves the number of base transmitters/receivers units (base stations) required for the same system capacity.

Seamless integration:

Additionally, DMR allows for easy integration with other technologies such as SIP, VoIP, Phone Interconnect, and legacy analogue radios.

Advanced management abilities:

Many professional grade applications have been developed to exploit the benefits of DMR systems such as Control Room Solutions incorporating advanced Tracking and Mapping computerised displays, workforce Task Management solutions, Voice Recording, Email and Text Messaging, Gate Entry control and Alarm Monitoring direct to radios along with full Audit and Management Reporting.

Added functionality and safety:

The latest digital handsets can incorporate features such as GPS, location tracking, ‘Man-Down’, Lone Worker protection, Emergency and Group Calling with the digital technology allowing you to integrate applications to get the most from your radio system.

Improved audio quality and coverage:

Call performance can be enhanced with advanced audio processing to reduce background noise and the effects of interference in poor coverage areas. With its scalable IP backbone topology, additional coverage areas or infill base stations can be economically added via simple IP connections.

Durable, industry-proof, high quality:

Digital radios come in an increasing range of ergonomic shapes and sizes. Rugged and resilient devices offer high reliability, and are often designed specifically to encounter tough conditions and everyday use. High and low temperatures, water spray and immersion, dust protection and drop damage protection are all covered making DMR ideal for all types of businesses and out-door activities. And as manufacturers move away from analogue products, digital solutions offer long term supplier support to maximise the return on investment in a solution.

The best solution in a site-specific situation may vary, so it is always best to ask which type of radio and what radio features are best for your communication needs. Contact Pennine here to see how our 40 years of two way radio expertise could take your business communications in the right direction.